Criminal Practice - ALL Flashcards
When is a suspect charged?
- When it is suspected that a criminal offence has been committed, the police will investigate* If there are reasonable grounds to suspect a person has been involved in the commission of an offence, the suspect will be arrested. * The police then conduct further investigation, which may include interviewing the suspect * Following this investigation, if the prosecution think there is a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to prosecute, the suspect can then be charged (CPS will advise on what most suitable offence is).
When does a suspect become a defendant?
After being charged.
What is acquittal?
- If the defence is successful, the court cannot be sure beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the offence and must therefore ‘acquit’ the defendant. * Acquittal does not mean that the court is satisfied that the defendant did not commit the offence charged; it simply means the court cannot be sure that the defendant did commit the offence charged.
What are the 3 classifications of offences?
- Summary only* Either way* Indictable only
What is a summary only offence?
- Can be heard only in the Magistrates’ Court (unless charged together with other offences that can go to the Crown Court)* Less serious offences carrying lighter sentences* Maximum: 6 months for single or multiple summary only offences, and 12 months for single or multiple either way offence* Examples: assault and battery
What is an either way offence?
- Can be heard in either the Magistrates’ Court or in the Crown Court, depending on the seriousness of the offence in question and the defendant’s wishes * Examples: theft, criminal damage, and burglary
What is an indictable only offence?
- Can be heard only by the Crown Court* The most serious offences, carrying the longest sentences * Example: robbery, rape, and murder
What are the criminal courts of first instance?
- Magistrates’ Court* Crown Court* Youth Court
Where do all criminal cases start?
Magistrates’ Court, irrespective of charge
What is the overriding objective of criminal law?
Criminal cases be dealt with justly, which includes (amongst others): * acquitting the innocent and convicting the guilty;* dealing with the prosecution and the defence fairly;* recognising the rights of a defendant; * respecting the interests of witnesses, victims, and jurors; and * dealing with the case efficiently and expeditiously.| In Criminal Procedure Rules
Who presides over the Magistrates’ Court?
A District Judge of magistrates. * A DJ is a legally qualified judge (often a former solicitor or barrister with at least seven years of experience in practice) who sits alone. * Magistrates are laypersons and sit in panels of two or three, they are generally not paid. A legal advisor is present to advise the panel on matters of law and procedure. * The DJ or panel are the arbiters of issues of both fact and law.
Who presides over the Crown Court?
A Crown Court Judge. * The Crown Court Judge is the arbiter of all matters of law, * All matters of fact are decided by a jury.
What is a jury?
A collection of 12 randomly selected people who will decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
In which court are rates of acquittal higher?
Crown Courts (admissibility of evidence is heard in the absence of the jury)
What types of offences are dealt with in the Crown Court?
- Indictable only offences;* Either way offences, when the Magistrates’ Court has declined jurisdiction or when the defendant has elected Crown Court trial; * Either way or summary offences which are related to another offence being heard by the Crown Court if it is punishable by imprisonment and/or disqualification from driving; and * Appeals against conviction and sentence from the Magistrates’ Court.
Which offences are summary only?
Assault * Max: 6 months custody* Range: Discharge - 26 weeksBattery* Max: 6 months custody* Range: Discharge - 26 weeksCriminal Damage with Value under £5,000* Max: 3 months custody* Range: Discharge - 3 months custodyShoplifting with value below £200* Defendant can still elect Crown Court trial
Which offences are indictable only?
s18 GBH* Max: Life* Range: 3 - 16 years custodyMurder* Max: Life* Mandatory life sentenceManslaughter by Diminished Responsibility* Max: Life* Range: 3 - 40 years custodyManslaughter by Loss of Control* Max: Life* Range: 3 - 20 years custodyUnlawful Act Manslaughter* Max: Life* Range: 1 - 24 years custodyGross Negligence Manslaughter* Max: Life* Range: 1 - 18 years custodyRobbery* Max: Life* Range: 1 - 16 years custodyAggravated Criminal Damage* Max: Life* Range: High level community order - 12 years custodyDomestic Burglary with intent/commission of indictable only offence or victim is subject to violence/threat or 3rd charge of domestic burglary* Max: 14 years custody* Range: Community order - 6 years custody
Which offences are triable either way?
ABH* Max: 5 years custody* Range: Fine - 3 years custodys20 GBH* Max: 5 years custody* Range: Community order - 4 years custodyTheft with value over £200* Max: 7 years custody* Range: Discharge - 6 years custodyDomestic Burglary with no indictable only offence or attempt/no violence or threat to victim/less than 3 charges of domestic burglary* Max: 14 years custody* Range: Community order - 6 years custodyNon-domestic Burglary* Max: 10 years custody* Range: Fine - 5 years custodyFraud (false representation/failure to disclose/abuse of position)* Max: 10 years custody* Range: Discharge - 8 years custodyCriminal damage with value over £5000* Max: 10 years custody* Range: Discharge - 4 years custodyArson* Max: Life* Range: Discharge - 8 years custody
What are the 7 rights of a detained suspect?
These rights are set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (‘PACE’). * Access to free legal advice, free medical help, and a free interpreter* The right to notify someone of their arrest* The right to inspect police Codes of Practice (the regulations governing police powers under PACE)* The right to silence* The right to be informed of the reason for the arrest* The right to inspect documents relating to the arrest and detention and * The right to information on detention time limits.
What are the rankings of the police force in ascending order?
- Constable* Sergeant* Inspector* Chief Inspector* Superintendent* Chief Superintendent* Assistant Chief Constable * Deputy Chief Constable * Chief Constable.
What is covered by the right to legal advice?
- A person under arrest has the right to receive free, private legal advice at any time during detention. * This legal advice is independent of the police and prosecution and can include consulting with a legal representative on the phone or in person. * When a suspect requests legal advice, the Defence Solicitors Call Centre (‘DSCC’) is contacted (unless the suspect requests the advice to be paid for). * The DSCC then determines whether telephone advice is sufficient or whether a solicitor should attend the police station.* Note, the right can be delayed in limited circumstances.
When may the right to legal advice be delayed?
- The suspect is arrested on an indictable only or either way offence* A police officer of the rank of superintendent or above has authorised the delay in writing; and * The officer has reasonable grounds to believe that exercise of the right will lead to interference with evidence, interference with others, alerting other suspects, or hindering the recovery of property related to the offence. The right can be delayed 36 hours at most. In practice, it is extremely rare for this right to be delayed, as legal advice is a fundamental right and a failure to access such advice is likely to cause problems for the admissibility of evidence collected prior to advice.
When will the right to legal advice be limited to a phone call by the DSCC?
All suspects will receive in-person support unless:* they are detained for a non-imprisonable offence or * if they’ve been arrested for failing to attend at court, or * if they’ve been arrested for driving over the limit, * failing to provide specimen whilst driving unfit, or * breach of court bail. Even for these offences, a suspect will receive in-person support if they are complaining of maltreatment, or an interview is to take place, or identification procedures are going to take place.
Who is entitled to free legal advice?
Everyone detained by the police, regardless of financial status